Ed Brand's side were unbeaten in their last four in the U-18 Premier League and with a couple of games in hand above most teams above them, there would have been a feeling that the league title was still a possibility.

Team news

There were a number of changes made by Brand from the last league game which was a 3-2 win over Norwich City.

Prince Adegoke, Silko Thomas, Alfie Gilchrist, Luke Badley-Morgan, Lewis Hall and Edwin Andersson all came into the side as we sought victory against a Leicester side who have only won one in their last seven.

Testing the waters

Chelsea started the brighter of the two sides as Jimi Tauriainen fired an effort on goal to test the palms of keeper Arlo Doherty.

Both teams showed an ability to keep the ball, but both also made a number of mistakes in possession. Despite this we were the side that looked most likely to break the deadlock.

Leo Castledine and Silko Thomas both had clear sights of goal but both players failed to shoot, holding onto the ball for too long. Another chance came our way as Edwin Andersson had a goal-bound effort blocked by Leicester defender.

Preventing mistakes

With the half coming to a close however, the momentum was beginning to shift the way of the away side as Chris Popov had two opportunities which he fashioned for himself, the first saved brilliantly Adegoke and the second blocked by captain Gilchrist.

With our young Blues pushing for a goal in the second period, we almost conceded as Jack Butterfill’s effort only missed the target due to a slight deflection.

Missed chances punished

With just under 15 minutes to go it was the Foxes who took the lead in this one as Cover started a flowing move and was on hand to sweep past Adegoke and give the Midlands side the lead.

We should have equalised when Hall played in a fantastic ball to set second-half substitute Malik Mothersille clear, but the striker could only steer his effort wide. Hall was next to have a chance, but his shot was stopped well by Doherty.

We were made to rue those chances as Amani Richards turned the ball in from a corner to double the Foxes’ lead.

That was how it would end as in a game of fine margins, it was the away side who took their chances.

Chelsea (3-4-3): Prince Adegoke; Alfie Gilchrist (c), Josh Tobin, Luke Badley-Morgan; Silko Thomas (Zain Silcott-Duberry 83), Jimi Tauriainen (Derrick Abu 90+5), Billy Gee, Lewis Hall; Ronnie Stutter, Leo Castledine (Malik Mothersille 46), Edwin Andersson (Tudor Mendel-Idowu 68).

Unused subs: Sami Tlemcani.Booked: Jimi Tauriainen 70

Leicester City (3-4-3): Arlo Doherty; Henry Cartwright, Jahmari Lindsay, Brandon Cover, Harvey Godsmark-Ford, Tom Wilson-Brown, Jesper Kutshienza, Logan Briggs, Chris Popov (Amani Richards 71), Zach Booth (Abdullah Javid 46), Jack Butterfill.

Unused subs: Freddie Cook, Dillon Addai, Jack Lewis.Scorers: Brandon Cover 76; Amani Richards.